VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00294
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00294
Petitioner: Forrest Christo
Filed: 2025-02-19
Decided: 2025-09-08
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2023-10-25
Condition: right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: entitlement granted
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On February 19, 2025, Forrest Christo filed a petition seeking compensation after an influenza vaccination administered on October 25, 2023. He alleged that the shot caused a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.

The public decision is limited because respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report. The Secretary agreed that Mr. Christo had no prior right shoulder condition, that his shoulder pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, that the pain and reduced range of motion were confined to the vaccinated shoulder, that no other condition explained the presentation, and that the injury lasted for more than six months.

On September 8, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Mr. Christo entitled to compensation. The decision resolved entitlement only; damages remained pending. Mr. Christo was represented by Leah V. Durant.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, October 25, 2023, adult exact age not stated, causing right SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED by Rule 4(c) concession; damages pending. Respondent conceded no prior right shoulder condition, onset within 48 hours, pain and reduced range of motion limited to the vaccinated shoulder, no alternative cause, and residual effects longer than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 8, 2025. Attorney Leah V. Durant.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00294-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-08
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/08/2025) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00294-UNJ Document 19 Filed 10/08/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0294V
FORREST CHRISTO, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 8, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Madylan Louise Yarc, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 19, 2025, Forrest Christo filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on October 25,
2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that his injury lasted longer than six months
and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever received compensation in the form
of an award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 9, 10. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa (2018).

Case 1:25-vv-00294-UNJ Document 19 Filed 10/08/25 Page 2 of 2
On September 4, 2025, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at
1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with
SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no history of pain,
inflammation, or dysfunction of his right shoulder prior to vaccination; pain and reduced
range of motion [were] limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and
no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain petitioner’s shoulder pain.”
Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that the records indicate that Petitioner suffered the
residual effects of his condition for more than six months and has satisfied all legal
prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2